Hello ladies! It's been a whole year since Ace last offered you up ten handpicked bachelors, so here we are again.

Of course, this means that the 15 minutes of fame for the original bachelors, including myself, is rapidly coming to an end. The memory of our reign will slowly fade away, as we desperately grasp at the straws of B-level.OK, C-level celebrity.

Does Lexington have some version of The Hollywood Squares that Tyler Mainous and Dan Thompson could appear on? Will Chris Marek and Lonnie Sheets be on The Weakest Link Celebrity Challenge?

Maybe Ace could bring one of the old bachelors on board to write some stories every now and then.Oh wait.that's me!

Alas, it's time to look toward the future.

After scouring the tri-county area for the 10 most eligible Bluegrass Bachelors, this new crop may be equal to, if not better, than the originals. There will be lawyers, stockbrokers, restaurant owners, med students, former college football players, and even a homicide dectective to name just a few. (And they're all bringing their friends.)

So, one word of advice: I would recommend you order your tickets early and arrive on time.

And the best part of the Bluegrass Bachelor Auction is that the money spent on your date will go toward the Woodstock Animal Foundation.

Buy a bachelor, Save a Puppy!

Meet the Bachelors:

THE WAY TO THIS LAWYER'S HEART, VEER RIGHT!

Andy Barr

Age: 28Career: AttorneyEducation: University of Virginia 1996; UK Law School 2001Originally from: Lexington, KYFavorite local dish: Filet Mignon from Dudley'sLast movie seen: Black Hawk DownLast CD bought: Everyday - The Dave Matthews BandLast book read: Capitalism and Freedom by Milton FriedmanChurch wedding or Vegas quickie: Church weddingNickname: ReverendChildren's name: Leave it to my future wifeFavorite drink: Tanqueray and tonicNumber of days you wait to call a girl after getting her phone number: 3 to 5 daysWhat were you for Halloween: George W. BushMusical tastes: Diverse, but my favorite band is The PoliceFirst thing you notice about a girl: SmileOne word your best friend would us to describe you: LateWhich lawyer show would you best fit in with, Law and Order, The Practice, or Ally Mcbeal? Law and Order, although I am not a criminal lawyer.
If you were stuck on a desert island, who would you rather be stuck with; Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, or Chelsea Clinton? I would rather be stuck with Wilson the volleyball, but if I had to choose, I could probably tolerate Chelsea.

POP QUIZ

1. Who would win in a race, Superman or The Flash? Superman
2. If you won a trip to Timbuktu, where would you be going? Grand Cayman

SHORT ANSWER

1. How would you describe your house to MTV Cribs? I don't watch MTV.2.What is your worst date experience? An unintelligent woman.3. What is your ideal date? Dinner at a 5 star NYC restaurant with closest friends and their dates or wives followed by a formal New Year's Eve party with a ton of other friends, a kickin' band, and open bar in midtown Manhattan.
4. What do you think about being sold to the highest bidder? Ridiculous.

HOMICIDE: Life on the Streets

Matt Brotherton

Age: 30Career: Crimefighter, like BatmanEducation: MS Political Science, UKOriginally from: AtlantaFavorite local dish: Three Bean Stew at Yat's, shows my flair for nostalgiaLast movie seen: Gosford ParkLast CD bought: The Strokes and the new Dismemberment PlanLast book read: Poor Richard's Almanac by Ben FranklinChurch wedding or Vegas quickie: Vegas, baby, Vegas!Nickname: Matt the Cop (Reporter's Note: that's what I call him)Favorite drink: Tender Lovin' (Ale-8 and Vodka)What were you for Halloween: Confused. The whole damn night. But I've always wanted to be Patrick McGoohan in The Prisoner.Musical tastes: Dizzy Gillespie said there are only two kinds of music, Good or Bad. I listen to Good music.Which cop show would you fit in best on? CopRock, or the "Sabotage" video.How do you relax after a busy night of collaring some perps? Hours of paperwork.Do people like me, not in the crime fighting field, sound stupid when we say something like "collaring some perps?" Not sure if you sound funny, but it looks odd in print.First thing you notice about a girl: I like good glasses and good hairstyles.
One word your best friend would use to describe you: Reluctant.

POP QUIZ

1. Who would win in a race, Superman or The Flash? It was a tie. I read that issue at summer camp and I thought it was the biggest ripoff, a tie. Everyone knows The Flash is faster, but Superman is the star and we can't have him lose, now can we?
2. If you won a trip to Timbuktu, where would you be going? Timbuktu, also spelled TOMBOUCTOU, is a city in the West African nation of Mali. It is historically important as a post on the tran-Saharan caravan route. It is located on the southern edge of the Sahara, about 8 miles, 13 km, north of the Niger River. Timbuktu was a center for the expansion of Islam, an intellectual and spritual capital at the end of the Mandingo Askia dynasty (1493-1591), and home to a prestigious Koranic university. Three great mosques built at that time, using traditional techniques, still remain.

SHORT ESSAY

1. How would you describe your place to MTV Cribs? Cozy, unkempt, and not yet fully occupied.
2. How do you feel about being auctioned off to the highest bidder? Tell them to save their receipt.HIS STOCK IS SOARING

Jim Wombles

Age: 28Career: StockbrokerEducation: Bachelor's in Business AdministrationOriginally from: FloridaFavorite local dish: The shrimp hibachi at Nagasaki InnLast movie seen: Black Hawk DownLast CD bought: U2 All That You Can't Leave BehindLast book read: How to be Auctioned Off to the Highest Bidder and Still Feel Good About Yourself!Church wedding or Vegas quickie: Huge church wedding!Nickname: Swimmy. I have no idea why.What would you name your kids? Slow it down a little, we haven't even met yet.Favorite drink: Maker's Mark and CokeHow many days do you wait to call after getting a girl's number: The standard 2What were you for Halloween? 70s guy in a light blue suit with shiny white shoesMusical tastes: Rock, jazz, movie scoresWhich is the best stock broker movie, Wall Street, Trading Places, or Boiler Room: Wall Street!!!! There will never be a better stockbroker movie!I have a lot of Enron stock, what do you recommend? Don't quit your day job, fire your financial advisor, and hire me!First thing you notice about a girl: Her eyes
One word your best friend would use to describe you: Multi-faceted

POP QUIZ

Who would win in a race, Superman or The Flash? Superman of course, are you kidding?!?
If you won a trip to Timbuktu, where would you be going? B.F.E.

SHORT ESSAY

How would you describe your place to MTV Cribs? YO, yo, yo!! I dwell in a phat Ball Home pad! My boys all tell me if you gonna be a playuh ya gots to buy da Ball Home model! It's da bomb! I passed on da standard brick walls on da side, and upgraded to da crrrraaaazy aluminum siding. Check it out! You better aks somebody!What is your worst date experience? I got set up on a blind date with a friend of my friend's girlfriend. I thought she was great, and I was having a good time until at the dinner table we were talking about [insert name of popular] restaurant [now defunct]. I mentioned that I heard that [it] was going out of business and she said it wasn't. And then I said, "No, really, I heard that it's going out of business because of bad management." She said, "No, it's not, my Dad's the manager!" Oops! We didn't go out again. [The restaurant] went under.What is your perfect date? One where when it's time to go home, you wish that it wasn't time to go home.How do you feel about being auctioned off to the highest bidder? Like a cheap $2 prostitute.

FOR THE HORSEY SET

Broussard Hundley

Age: 34Career: Horseman/Property Manager, Saxony FarmsEducation: UKOriginally from: Lexington areaFavorite local dish: Bistro la Belle, pork chopsLast movie seen: Lord of the RingsLast CD bought: No ideaLast book read: Cry Wolf by Wilbur SmithChurch wedding or Vegas quickie: ChurchNickname: Bird or BChildren's names: If a boy, then Charles Broussard Hundley III, if a girl then named after her mother.Favorite drink: VodkaHow many days do you wait to call a girl after getting her number: Depends on the girlWhat were you for Halloween: A GauchoMusical tastes: Classical, pop, country, rockWhat do you do on the farm? I work on a horse farm as a trainer and rehabilitator for young and injured horses.You like to fly fish, so fess up. Is fly fishing really a zen activity or just a nice way to kill some time? Fly fishing is a cross between Zen and relaxation. NO PHONES!First thing you notice about a girl: Her eyes, a window to the soul
One word your best friend would use to describe you: Independent

POP QUIZ

1. Who would win in a race, Superman or The Flash? Superman
2. If you won a trip to Timbuktu, where would you be going? Cholila, Patagonia Argentina

SHORT ESSAY

1. How would you describe your place to MTV Cribs? The Do Drop Inn2. Worst date experience: The blind date where the poor girl could not string three words together.3. How do you feel about being auctioned off to the highest bidder? It depends on the price.

CHECK OUT HIS BEDSIDE MANNER

Tyler Richmond

Age: 25Career: Med StudentEducation: Henry Clay HS, Davidson College, UK College of Medicine (2004)Originally from: LexingtonFavorite local dish: Tie. Sesame Tuna at Portofinos or Pork with red sauce at San PanchosLast movie seen: The Big LebowskiLast CD bought: Resurrection by CommonLast book read: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn RandNickname: TipFavorite drink: Maker's and water or Gin and grapefruitHow many days do you wait to call after getting a girl's phone number: I don't waitWhat were you for Halloween? High school varsity basketball playerWhat are your musical tastes: Roy Ayers to the Roots, Soulive to Seldom Scene - I am all over the placeFirst thing you notice about a girl: Face and hairWhich TV hospital show would you best fit in on, ER or Scrubs? Scrubs, definitelyYou graduated from Davidson, what did you think about them beating University of North Carolina in basketball? It was a big game for Davidson, but it says a lot about the state of affairs in Chapel Hill.Why medicine and med school? I got into medicine because I enjoy human biology and because I enjoy helping people solve their problems. I have 2 more years to decide my specialty, and as of today, I am wide open.
One word your best friend would use to describe you: Uninhibited

POP QUIZ

1. Who would win in a race, Superman or The Flash? The Flash
2. If you won a trip to Timbuktu, where would you be going? Africa

SHORT ESSAY

1. How would you describe your place of residence to MTV Cribs? Take the fire-escape stairs to the second story entrance, where you enter an apartment of contemporary design and masterful woodworking that you'd expect to see only on the West Coast.
2. What is your worst date experience? I don't think I've had a bad date.
3. What is your perfect date? One morning, wake up early and make homemade Huevos Rancheros. Then head out to Keeneland for the Spring meet.
4. How do you feel about being auctioned off to the highest bidder? I hope I am worth the $10 admission price.

HE'S TAKING BIDS!!

Rob Ellis

Age: 39Career: Real estateEducation: BA, Communications, Minor in French, University of KentuckyOriginally from: LexingtonFavorite local dish: Filet mignon at Emmetts or sushi at TachiabanaLast movie: A Beautiful MindLast CD: Lyle Lovett Anthology: Volume OneLast book: The Four AgreementsChurch wedding or Vegas quickie: VegasNickname: Elwood in collegeWhat would you name your kids? I'll have to get back to you on that oneFavorite drink: Pilsner Urquell or Spaten LagerHow many days do you wait to call after getting a girl's number: Not more than 2 weeksWhat were you for Halloween: The DevilMusical tastes: I was a radio dj for 10 years and I did a lot of different formats so I can appreciate just about any genre of rock, country, contemporary jazz, even some popin fact I actually enjoyed it when an old girlfriend of mine dragged me to a Barry Manilow concert!Last year we sold your brother Charles, this year you - are there any other single Ellis men out there? Yes, there is one more single Ellis guy, Johnny, but he lives in New York.What are your hidden talents? I used to play the drums, the piano, and the violin. I was a magician when I was younger. I used to dance before I got "dignity," as Bob Seger would say. I am not a bad ping pong player.
One word to describe you: Pragmatic

POP QUIZ

Who would win in a race, Superman or The Flash? Depends on the kryptonite levels in the atmosphere that day.
If you wona trip to Timbuktu, where would you be going? I would be going somewhere in Montana or the Dakotas.

SHORT ESSAY

Worst date experience? Probably the time when I got thrown in jail for trying to retrieve my girlfriend's winter jacket from the school gym by breaking in at 2 am. Yes, I was drunk and no, she did not ask me to do it. She had left it there at the last basketball game going into Christmas break and her family was leaving for North Carolina to visit relatives the next day, so I was trying to be a hero. This was in high school, by the way.What is your ideal date? Most of my ideal dates have happened somewhat spontaneously so that one is kind of hard to answer but if there is mutual attraction, respect, and chemistry, then what we do on the date is really just incidental.How do you feel about being auctioned off to the highest bidder? Well, it is kind of ironic, since I sell real estate for a living.

PLAY BALL!

Ryan Atkins

Age: 25Career: Recruiter at LexmarkEducation: BA Communications Auburn, Second semester MBA student at UKOriginally from: LexingtonFavorite local dish: Joe B's Pizza with salad and breadsticksLast movie saw: Tom Green's Freddy Got FingeredLast CD bought: Dave Matthews LiveLast book read: Tony Franklin's Fourth Down and Life to GoChurch wedding or Vegas quickie: Like I have a choice, whatever the woman wants!Children's names: See above answerNickname: Sammy ButternutFavorite drink: Chocolate milk shakeHow many days do you wait to call after getting a girl's phone number: 3What were you for Halloween: PimpMusical tastes: All types of musicFirst thing you notice about a girl: PersonalityYou played football at Auburn, what do other SEC schools really think of UK football: They think UK football is the joke of the SEC.What are your plans for your MBA, I hear Enron's hiring:Paper shredding comes in the 3rd semester of the MBA program!You've played soccer and football, which pro career would you rather have, a pro soccer player like Cobi Jones or a pro kicker like Adam Vinatieri? Tough question! I would prefer to be a pro kicker because there would be less wear and tear on the body. Plus, if it was here in the US, then the pro kicker would make the most money.
One word your best friend would use to describe you: Unpredictable

POP QUIZ

1. Who would win in a race, Superman or The Flash? Superman
2. If you won a trip to Timbuktu, where would you be going? The Nicholasville Wal-Mart, I think?!?

SHORT ESSAY

1. How would you describe your house to MTV Cribs? Thanks to my mother, an interior designer, and my father, a real-estate broker, my house is nice.2. What is your worst date experience? Traveling to a college sorority function with my girlfriend and realizing that the "high school sweetheart" thing was not going to work out.3. What is your ideal date? Going out to dinner at a nice restaurant, then catching some sort of live sporting event, with a cute, fun loving date.4. How do you feel about being auctioned off to the highest bidder? I just wish that my friends who got me into this were being auctioned off as well!

THE MANLY CARNIVORE

Brad Hedgespeth

Age: 33Career: Sales RepEducation: CollegeOriginally from: LexingtonFavorite local dish: Filet Mignon at Dudley'sLast movie seen: AliLast CD bought: Lenny KravitzLast book read: The Jury by Steve MartiniChurch wedding or Vegas quickie: Vegas. I'm not much on big church weddingsNickname: Hmmmmdon't really have oneChildren's names: Marshall if a boy, and Kaitlin if a girlFavorite drink: Maker's MarkHow many days do you wait to call a girl after getting her number: 3 daysWhat were you for Halloween: FiremanMusical tastes: Jazz, a little bit of countryYou like to play sports, would you let a date win on purpose: Probably, yes. I would at least try to keep it close, so she wouldn't know I was letting her win.Talk about Zeus: Zeus is my dog. He is a nine month old black lab. He's a big baby, everybody loves him. I went to a birthday party a while back and everyone kept saying, "Hey, go get your dog!" so I left and went home and got him. He's more popular than I am.First thing you notice about a girl: Her smile
One word your best friend would use to describe you: Busy

POP QUIZ

1.Who would win in a race, Superman or The Flash? The Flash. For sure.
2. If you won a trip to Timbuktu, where would you be going? I do not have the slightest idea.

SHORT ANSWER

1. How would you describe your place to MTV Cribs? Very, very cozy. It's homelike and lived in.2. What is your worst date experience? I went on a blind date that was a DISASTER from the get go. I ordered steak and she was a vegetarian. We hated each other. After the date, my friends apologized to me for setting us up in the first place.3. What is your ideal date? Nice dinner and then maybe a jazz show. It would be really simple, nothing too complicated.4. How do you feel about being auctioned off to the highest bidder? I'm a little bit nervous, but very excited!

YOU'LL BE LICKING YOUR CHOPS

Bob Stubblefield

Age: 51Career: Owner of Billy's BBQEducation: BS in history, some graduate schoolOriginally from: Murray, KYFavorite local dish: The walleye at the Merrick InnLast movie seen: Black Hawk DownLast CD bought: Lucinda Williams, Essence and Patty Loveless, Mountain SoulLast book read: Black Hawk DownChurch wedding or Vegas quickie: None of the AboveNickname: LightnynChildren's names: My daughter's name is Jennye and because I am fixed, there won't be anymore!Favorite drink: BEER!How many days do you wait to call a girl after getting her number: A couple or moreWhat were you for Halloween: I workedMusical tastes: Blues, jazz, bluegrass, folk, country, big band, some rock, loungeYour name is Bob, your restaurant is called Billy's BBQ. Who the hell is Billy? Billy is a long ago, but not forgotten bidnis partner.If you own a restaurant, are you obligated to take your date there for dinner?: Well, the food and the beer are cheap.How many days have you gone in a row without eating BBQ: 2 or 3Best drink with some Billy's BBQ: Now that is a really stupid question, BEER!First thing you notice about a girl: Smile
One word your best friend would use to describe you: Oral

POP QUIZ

1. Who would win in a race, Superman or The Flash? What kind of stupid question is that?
2. If you won a trip to Timbuktu, where would you be going? It's in the West African, almost subsaharan country of Mali, but the gold is all gone.

SHORT ESSAY

1. How would you describe your place to MTV Cribs? Small, tastefully decorated with great art and some nice furniture, with a story behind a number of pieces of both.

2. What is your worst date experience? I was invited to a sorority formal, where my date proceeded to quickly down a pint of vodka. After holding her up on the dance floor for a good portion of the evening, I packed her to the room. In the process she puked and kept mumbling, "ma her, ma her...." I looked back on the ground behind us and saw what looked like a small, furry rodent. It was in fact a hair piece that had fallen off her head. After I dragged her in the door, I kicked it into the bushes, then put her into one bed with a garbage can next to it, and slept in the other.

3. What is your ideal date? I can't write that here in detail, but it would include great wine and good food, a table with a long, floor length tablecloth in a dark, secluded part of the restaurant, and my choice of dessert, definitely not on the menu. Use your imagination.

4. How do you feel about being auctioned off to the highest bidder? I'm not so sure you'll raise very much money with me, but I'm gonna have a great time. Is the beer on the house?

CHECK UNDER HIS HOOD

Marshall Prewitt

Age: 24Career: Corporate Account ExecutiveEducation: Senior, UK, KinesiologyOriginally from: LexingtonFavorite local dish: Hot Brown at Ramsey's on High StreetLast movie seen: Vanilla SkyLast CD bought: Elvis in Person, Las VegasLast book read: Night Comes to the CumberlandChurch wedding or Vegas quickie: VegasNickname: EdWhat you would name your kids: No ideaFavorite drink: CaucasianHow many days do you wait to call after getting a girl's number: 2 or 3What were you for Halloween: Freedom RockerMusical tastes: Stones, anything 80s, Elvis, Z-103ishFirst thing you notice about a girl: ButtHow many times a day do people try and make car sounds to tell you what is wrong with their car? At least 6 times a day, mostly squeaks.What is the best soap to get grease off your hands? Kresto, it's German!Dream car: 1960 Ferrari GT250 California, from Ferris Bueller's Day Off
One word your best friend would use to describe you: Energetic

POP QUIZ

1. Who would win in a race, Superman or The Flash? The Flash
2. If you won a trip to Timbuktu, where would you be going? Africa?

SHORT ANSWER

1. How would you describe your place to MTV Cribs? It's a place to lay my head.2. What is your worst date experience? A UK basketball game, I was too much of a fan for her.3. What is your perfect date? Ramsey's and color TV.
4. How do you feel about being auctioned off to the highest bidder? I hope it doesn't happen, but I would treat the experience the same no matter the price. That is, I'll have a good time.

CONCLUSION

Well ladies, there you have it. Ten guys ready and waiting for you. So bring your cash, your checks, and your cash (NO CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED ON SITE). Doesn't hurt to say that twice!

We will see you all Friday night at 8:00 at ArtsPlace.

By the way, the correct answers to the pop quiz are

1. The Flash. He is the fastest man on earth. It is not even close. Although if Superman flies, it's a bit tighter.
2. See Matt Brotherton's answer!

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INFO:

The auction will be at

ArtsPlace, Friday, February 15th at 8:00pm (after Gallery Hop).

Tickets are $10 in advance, on sale at the Ace office, at the corner of 2nd and Jefferson, or charge your tickets at 859-225-4889, ext 224. (Tickets at the door will be $20).

Ten bachelors and accompanying dates will be auctioned (all date packages begin with dinner at Roy's East High Diner. Beyond that, packages include an array of evenings, ranging from theatre to concert tickets to UK ballgames.)

This is a Silent Auction. You will be able to bid quietly and discreetly. The bachelors will not disrobe. You won't either.

First, read up on your choices.

Call now and charge your tickets. See how much credit limit you have left after that.

Then, go to the ATM machine. Withdraw as much as you can and still have rent money.

At the event, Marvin Bartlett will introduce the Bachelors, one at a time.

They will then be quizzed, by celebrity panelists, so you can judge them on their winning personalities and not just their looks (because that would be shallow).

Marvin will then direct you to the appropriate Silent Auction location where you can make your bids.

Wear Kevlar. Penalties will be assessed for elbows to the eye.

At 10 p.m the winning bids will be announced by the lovely Jennifer Nime. If you've committed the biggest bucks, and have a check or cash to back that up, you won!

You'll be introduced to your bachelor.

Exchange business cards.

You'll sign a liability waiver (that's for our protection in case you get married, have kids, live together for 20 years, and end up in a messy divorce, you can't blame us when he shaves the cat in retribution).

You will make your check payable directly to Woodstock Animal Foundation. If it bounces, they'll tell us. Then we'll print your name and photo on the next cover. (Not really. But please, bid within your means. It's not nice to kite checks to charities.)

The bachelors will have your date packages (dinner and tickets), and you may then contact them directly to make arrangements.